Evaluating the Standard

1.     When a person speaks or writes in Standard English, what exactly does that mean?

It is the formal style of English that is widely accepted across the world and used by political figures, newspaper etc.

2.    How do you think this particular variety of English became the standard?

It has been widely used and accepted for hundreds of years and I believe that it just continued to be used among society.

3.    Should a student use a dialect other than Standard English (or even a different language other than English altogether) in the classroom? If so, in what particular situations (speaking, writing, reading, use of technology, etc.) are non-formal English appropriate?

I believe a student should use other dialect other than Standard English in the classroom. And I believe alternative dialect should be used in speaking, writing, reading, and use of technology. This being said I believe there is a time and place for every type of dialect to be used.

4.    What makes someone a good writer? What kind of things do they do when they write? (this can be things like how they organize a paper, what words they use, etc.) List a few.

In my opinion a good writer is one who can manipulate the use of formal writing adding their own flare too their body of work. A good writer should be able to catch ones attention with whatever they are writing about. Many good writers set up outlines and rubrics in order to be organized and concise with their work.

5.    You think that someone is a bad writer. What are some things that this person does that make them a “bad” writer in your eyes? List a few.

I am not really one to judge on someone being a “bad” writer. But in my opinion a bad writer doesn’t become involved in their writing. I feel that the majority of writing is emotion and how much you have invested in your writing. I also feel that if a writer doesn’t use any sort of organization or is completely oblivious to using proper grammar.

6.    Are there times when a person you meet doesn’t speak “correct” English? What does that person do that is “incorrect”? List a few things.

 In the article it said that you can improvise with Standard English but there is a point where it is just completely wrong. One example that goes unnoticed by many is the “15 item or less” line in a supermarket. Less is only used to measure things that are uncountable like water or flower, not individual items in a shopping cart. It really isn’t that noticeable but is incorrect.

7.    What particular types (or genres) of writing should students be doing in elementary and secondary school  prepare them for college and the work force?

It is important that elementary and secondary school students study conventions in order to be knowledgeable on situations on when to use certain types of grammar in different types of genres.

8.    Does standard English=correct English?

Not necessarily there are certain situations where Standard English may be inappropriate. Depending on the situation whether at the dinner table with your family or chatting online with your friends there is a certain use of language that suits each situation.